Automatic Vs. Manual

[Zeb]

My thanks to Zeb, Butch, Gumby, Mark and Todd for their useful input on my previous post. I would like to get some more feedback on the conversion to automatic transmission on the F55. Is this recommendable according to you guys. As I said before, I’m not a mechanic and so I don’t know if this is something that could potentially open a pandora's box.

Thanks again.

 

[fj40charles]

It all comes down to personal preference. Autos are great for drag racing and offroading. Manual is generally more reliable than an auto. With proper cooling, an auto such as a TH400 is very very very reliable. Since you already have the setup, I'd run it. I have a Th400 in my trail rig and a 6 speed nv5600 manual in my Cummins.

 

[Hodag]

My take on manual vs. automatic

I have one of each. My 79' FJ40 has a 400 SBC with a 3spd tranny and t-case. My 74' FJ55 has a 350 SBC and a Turbo350 with a 3spd T-case. The 40 is a trail truck, but still street legal (barely). Its fun with the stick to smoke the tires and dust the Fast and Furious wannabes in their Hondas. The Flowmasters dump in front of the rear wheels and are right about window level. The 55 is my daily driver and I like the auto for that. It does see a little trail use when the family wants to tag along. Both setups have their advantages and disadvantages, and everyone has an opinion. The only thing Id will change on the 55 with the auto is to change the shifter. The PO rigged this direct link with a T handle right next to the heater box. Im going to put in the Lokar street rod shifter, it bolts right to the tail of the tranny and is supposed to be very stout. Let me know if you have any specific questions about either truck. Hodag